Ring manually adjustable to a plurality of constant sizes

ABSTRACT

An ornamental finger ring which can readily be adjusted to fit a variety of finger sizes. The ring is formed from an elongate shank having a pair of ends, into a circular configuration. The ends are positioned proximate each other, and at least one of them is formed with an ornamental member thereon. A flexible insert is embedded in a portion of the shank, and at least one gap or spacing is provided in the shank so that it surrounds the insert and divides the shank into at least two segments.

United States Patent Michael Chernow [72] Inventor New York, N.Y. [21Appl. No. 869,278 [22] Filed Oct. 24, 1969 [45] Patented Dec.2l,l971[73] Assignee Monocrai'tJnc.

[54] RING MANUALLY ADJUSTABLE TO A PLURALITY 0F CONSTANT SIZES 7 Claims,10 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 63/155 [51] Int. Cl A441: 9/02 [50] Field of Search 63/1545,15.5, l5.65, l I, 3,6,7

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 296,1 l8 4/1884 Boniface h l1,434,931 11/19'22 Ballard 1,694,703 12/ l 928 Doppenschmitt 63/3FOREIGN PATENTS 566,938 9/1957 Italy 63/3 343,!64 l/l960 Switzerland63/! 1 Primary Examiner-F. Barry Shay Atwmeys-Anthony A. Juettner and L.Meroy Lillehaugen ABSTRACT: An ornamental finger ring which can readilybe adjusted to fit a variety of finger sizes. The ring is formed from anelongate shank having a pair of ends, into a circular configuration. Theends are positioned proximate each other, and at least one of them isformed with an ornamental member thereon. A flexible insert is embeddedin a portion of the shank, and at least one gap or spacing is providedin the shank so that it surrounds the insert and divides the shank intoat least two segments.

WENTEB mm mm 3,628, 351

sum 1 nr 2 l N VEN TOR.

M/CAMEA CHER/VOW RING MANUALLY ADJUSTABLE TO A PLURALITY 01F CONSTANTSIZES The present invention relates to an ornamental ring, and moreparticularly, to an adjustable finger ring which can readily be variedin size to accommodate different size fingers.

As known to those in the jewelry art, proper sizing of an ornamentalfinger ring to a prospective wearer has presented various problems.Adequate inventories for example, require that duplicates of the samering be stocked in a variety of sizes, in order to insure an adequatesupply. Furthermore, in many instances, the purchaser is not theproposed wearer; therefore, the exact size of the ring may not be known,and the wrong size may be purchased. In such instances the ring must bereturned for proper sizing. Another problem which exists concerns thepossibility that the wearers ring size may change over a period of time.

An apparent solution to the above problems is to make a ring in such amanner that it can be adjusted to fit more than one finger size. One wayto accomplish this, is to make the shank portion of the ring flexibleenough so that it can be bent into different sizes; this however,ofttimes results in cracking or blistering the plating material whichcovers the ring, especially if the plating material is relatively heavyand/or hard. As known to those in the art, numerous other features havebeen provided for adjusting the size of a ring, such as the use ofauxiliary bands, screws, springs, collars, and the like. These featuresare often relatively complex in construction, costly to manufacture,unsightly in appearance, and they may require the use of a tool orequipment of some type to make the adjustment.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide animproved ornamental finger ring.

Another object is to provide a finger ring having improved means forreadily adjusting it to fit a variety offinger sizes.

A further object is to provide an ornamental finger ring which can bereadily adjusted in size by the wearer without the use of any spacialtools or equipment.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent froma consideration of the following specification and drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a finger ring embodying myinvention;

FIG. 2 is an edge view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an edge view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but illustrating the ring in acontracted condition;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the ring illustrated inFIG. 1; I

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along 6-6 of FIG. 5;

H0, 7 illustrates another embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 8 is a top view ofthe ring shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an edge view of the ring shown in FIG. 7; and

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 1 illustrates an ornamental finger ring 10 comprising a shank 12having a pair of ends 14 and 16. The shank 12 is formed into a circularconfiguration in such a manner that the ends 14 and 16 are positionedproximate each other. As shown, the end 14 is provided with anornamental member 18 which forms an integral part of the shank 12. InFIG. 1, the member 18 is formed as a ram s head having a pair of horns20 and 22. It must be realized of course, that numerous other ornamentalmembers could be formed on the end of the shank as well, and that FIG. 1merely illustrates one type of ornamental member. The end 16 is formedwith a somewhat spherical knob 24 thereon which cooperates with aportion of the member 18 to limit the adjustability of the ring, in amanner described more fully hereinbelow.

A flexible insert 26 is embedded in a portion of the shank 12 at alocation substantially opposite the ends 14 and 16, in this regard noteFIGS. 5 and 6. Theinsert 26 is formed of a flexible or readily bendablematerial, such as a relatively soft, nonspringy brass material, and itis cast into the shank 12 at the time that the shank is formed. Asillustrated, a number of gaps or spaces 28 are formed in the shank 12 insuch a manner that they surround and expose the insert: 26 at a numberof locations, thus dividing the shank 12 into a plurality of segments30. These gaps can readily be formed at the time the shank is cast intoits desired cross-sectional configuration. A plating material 32 ofdesired thickness, is applied to the entire surface of the shank to givethe ring its desired finished appearance.

The flexible insert 26 and the gaps 28 permit the ring to be readilyadjusted so as to fit a variety of finger sizes. More importantly, thisfeature permits the :ring size to be adjusted without cracking orblistering the plating on the shank 12. Thus, when the shank is bent oradjusted to the desired size, the plating 32 on the shank isnt strained,because it is the insert 26 which bends between the gaps 28 rather thanthe shank 12. If the plating 32 cracks, it will do so around the insertbetween the segments 30, and it will be less likely to affect the looksor wearing qualities of the ring.

The insert 26 can vary in length, and its overall length is notparticularly critical. Preferably, it should extend into the shank somedistance beyond the last gap or spacing 28. While brass has been used asthe insert material, other materials can be used as well, as long as thematerial is relatively soft and it is substantially nonspringy innature. If a springy material is used for the insert, the shank will beless likely to stay in the position to which it has been adjusted.

Another feature which improves the utility and versatility of the ringconcerns the provision of the knob 24 on the end 16 of the shank. Insome instances, the wearer of the ring may stretch the shank more thanis necessary when moving the ring over the knuckles, or when adjustingthe size of the ring. This may put excessive strain on the shank. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 11-6, the knob engages or abuts against thehorn 20 when it is opened a prescribed amount. The knob 24 and the horn20 thus cooperate in preventing the ring from being opened or expandedtoo far.

In use, the wearer merely bends the shank 12 so that the spring formedby the shank is adapted to fit a particular finger size. The shank canbe readily be adjusted without cracking or blistering the platingmaterial due to the provision of the inset member 26 which is flexibleand readily bendable. In other words, the insert 26 bends in the regionsbetween the segments 30; if the plating 32 cracks, it will do so aroundthe insert 26 and the over all looks and wearing qualities of the shankwon t be affected. FIG. 1 depicts the ring adjusted to its maximum size,because the knob 24 engages or abuts against the rams horn 20. In thisregard, it might be pointed out that the insert 26 is flexible enough sothat the knob 24 can be caused to bypass the horn 20; this however,should be discouraged because excessive strain may be placed on theshank. FIG. 4 illustrates the ring after it has been adjusted to fit afinger having a somewhat smaller :size. It might be pointed out that ifpreferred, the ring can also be adjusted after it has been placed on thewearers finger. For example, if the ring is too large in size, it canreadily be made smaller, even after it is on the wearer's finger.

FIGS. 7-10 illustrate a modified form of the invention. An ornamentalring 40 is shown comprised of a shank 42 having a pair of ends 44 and46. The shank 42 is formed in the same general manner as the shank 12described hereinbefore in connection with FIGS. 1-6. As depicted, thering has a circular configuration, the ends 44 and 46 are positionedproximate each other, a flexible insert 48 is embedded in the shank 42,and a plurality of gaps or spaces 50 divide a portion of the shank intoa number of segments 52. In this embodiment, both v of the ends 44 and46 are provided with similar ornamental members 54 and 56; thus, both ofthe members 54 and 56 combine to form the ornamental design portion ofthe ring. A plating material 58 of the desired thickness is applied tothe ring to give it its desired finished appearance.

In use, the ring 40 can readily be adjusted to fit a number of difierentfinger sizes by merely moving the ends 44 and 46 relative to each other,either when the ring is on a finger or when it is off the finger. As thesize of the shank 42 is changed,

the insert 48 is caused to bend between the segments 52, and the platingon the shank is not strained to the extent that it cracks or blisters. v

The present invention can readily be adjusted to fit a number ofdifferent finger sizes, without the need of any tools or auxiliaryequipment. The flexible insert positioned within a portion of the ringshank, permits the shank (a portion of which is segmented) to be bent oradjusted without cracking or blistering the plating material whichcovers or coats the ring. While the ring can be adjusted to fit a largenumber of finger sizes, in some instances, it may be desirable toprovide means for limiting or controlling the maximum size of the ringopening which can be formed.

In the above description and attached drawings, a disclosure of theprinciples of this invention is presented, together with some of thespecific embodiments by which the invention might be carried out.

Therefore, I claim:

1. An adjustable finger ring' comprising a shank having a pair of endsand a substantially circular configuration, said ends being positionedproximate each other, at least one of said ends being formed with anornamental member thereon, means for permitting manual adjustment of thesize of the finger opening of said ring to a plurality of constantsizes, said means including a flexible insert embedded within at least aportion of the shank, said'shank being provided with at least one gapwhich surrounds the insert and separates the shank into at least twospaced segments connected only by said insert, said gap and said insertpermitting the size of the opening formed by the shank to be readilyadjusted.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein a plurality of gaps are providedon the shank which divides said shank into a plurality of segments.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said flexible insert is formed ofa soft nonspringy material.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said insert is formed of brassmaterial.

5. The combination of claim I wherein both ends of the shank are formedwith an ornamental member thereon.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein the other end of said shank isprovided with means for engaging a portion of the ornamental memberthereby preventing said ring from being enlarged beyond a predeterminedmaximum size.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein the insert is embedded in theshank at a point substantially opposite the ends, and the ornamentalmember forms the top of the ring when it is placed on a wearer's finger.

1. An adjustable finger ring comprising a shank having a pair of endsand a substantially circular configuration, said ends being positionedproximate each other, at least one of said ends being formed with anornamental member thereon, means for permitting manual adjustment of thesize of the finger opening of said ring to a plurality of constantsizes, said means including a flexible insert embedded within at least aportion of the shank, said shank being provided with at least one gapwhich surrounds the insert and separates the shank into at least twospaced segments connected only by said insert, said gap and said insertpermitting the size of the opening formed by the shank to be readilyadjusted.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein a plurality of gaps areprovided on the shank which divides said shank into a plurality ofsegments.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said flexible insert isformed of a soft nonspringy material.
 4. The combination of claim 3wherein said insert is formed of brass material.
 5. The combination ofclaim 1 wherein both ends of the shank are formed with an ornamentalmember thereon.
 6. The combination of claim 1 wherein the other end ofsaid shank is provided with means for engaging a portion of theornamental member thereby preventing said ring from being enlargedbeyond a predetermined maximum size.
 7. The combination of claim 1wherein the insert is embedded in the shank at a point substantiallyopposite The ends, and the ornamental member forms the top of the ringwhen it is placed on a wearer''s finger.